BSN Completion - Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many credits are required to earn a BSN?
A: The University requires 126 credits to graduate with a BSN.
Q: UDM delivers 35 credits onsite at extended campuses, or online. Where do the remaining credits come from?
A: The remaining credits come from previous college credit transferred in, courses that still need to be completed by either testing out, taking them at a local college or online, and 35 credits will be transferred in the student's last semester -- 29 nursing licensure credits and 6 credits for nutrition and pharmacology.
Q: Is there a limit on how many credits a student can transfer in from another institution?
A: Yes, a student may transfer up to 63 credits from a community college, and 96 from a 4-year institution. We transfer only those credits for courses which are applicable to BSN requirements. This allows the student to take courses elsewhere.
Q: Is there a limit to how old a class can be to receive credit?
A: No, as long as the student is a practicing nurse, there is no time limit.
Q: How will a student know if a class is equivalent to a UDM course?
A: Equivalencies will be determined by the Student Academic Affairs office. To start, download applicable transfer guides.
Q: What is CLEP & Dantes?
A: CLEP & Dantes are national testing plans used by universities to give people a chance to earn credit for knowledge gained outside the traditional college classroom. When you complete a CLEP or Dantes test, and achieve the required score of 50% or higher, you receive credit equivalent to that earned in a regular college course.
Where do I go to take these tests?
Many of your area colleges/universities should have testing centers available for your use.
Where can I find more information about these tests?
You can find more information on these tests at their websites:
Q: Is there a limit to how many courses I can test out of?
A: Yes. The limit is 10.
Can I take these core courses courses at an online institution?
Yes, but before enrolling in any online courses you should check with your advisor to make sure the credits will transfer.
If you're interested in taking some or all of your core classes online, here are a few places you might start looking:
Q: What is a guest application?
A: A guest application serves two purposes: First, it serves as a means to allow the student to take a course elsewhere, without having to apply to the institution where they wish to take a course, thus eliminating the need to submit transcripts, etc. The student is simply a "guest" at that institution.
Secondly, it ensures the student is taking the equivalent course to UDM's. Either the advisor or outreach coordinator will be the one to process this paperwork.
Q: How long is a typical semester for extended campuses?
A: For BSN Completion On-site Fall and Winter semesters are 15 weeks, and the Spring/Summer semester is between 7-10 weeks. For Online BSN Completion, all semesters are 12-weeks. There are many breaks within the academic year and the students will follow UDM's academic calendar. Students will have most of the summer off, ending typically mid-July and not starting back until after Labor Day.
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